Liberal Senator Jane Hume expressed her shock after her name was mentioned in a threat directed at Jacinta Nampijinpa Price by a senior colleague. This incident has intensified scrutiny on the opposition following controversial remarks made by Price about Indian Australians during an interview with the ABC last week.

In a statement posted on social media, Price accused Alex Hawke of intimidating her staff. She claimed that if she did not comply with his demands, she would "end up like another female member of the Coalition — who I won't name." Hume, who was referenced in this context, previously faced backlash for suggesting that "Chinese spies" were volunteering for the Labor Party, which led to her demotion to the backbench.

Speaking to Sky News, Hume said she was taken aback by being included in the reports. "I am still reeling a little bit … I am not sure entirely what this is all about and why my name needs to be included," she stated. Hume emphasized her focus on her committee and policy work, urging for a resolution to the situation. "I think the most important thing here is that we move on from this. Jacinta has stepped back her words that she said last week, she said that she was wrong, and that we move on," she added.

Hume noted that neither Hawke nor Opposition Leader Sussan Ley had reached out to her regarding the matter. She mentioned that she had contacted Price to check on her well-being and suggested that if there were concerns about a breach of parliamentary standards, Price could refer the issue to the new standards commission.

In a related development, Barnaby Joyce called for Price to apologize for her comments that have upset many in the Indian Australian community. Price had suggested that the government was favoring Labor-leaning Indian migrants to gain electoral support. Joyce stated that while he did not believe Price had negative intentions towards Indians, an apology would help the opposition "move on."

"Look, you make mistakes all the time in politics. The best thing to do is apologize and move on. Get off it. Get on to another topic. It's the nature of politics; you're not going to be perfect on every statement you make. You make mistakes," Joyce said.

Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek also weighed in, suggesting that if Price does not apologize, then Ley should intervene and ensure she does. The opposition is currently facing significant pressure to address the fallout from Price's comments as well as the implications of the threat made by Hawke.